Understanding Male Infertility

What is male infertility?

According to the World Health Organization and the International Committee Monitoring Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ICMART), failure to conceive is defined as clinical infertility if pregnancy is not achieved after 12 months or more of regular unprotected sexual intercourse. While either one or both of the partners may contribute to the reproductive challenges of the couple, male infertility, like female infertility, is a clinical diagnosis that can only be determined after formal assessment and testing.

How common is male infertility?

One in eight couples have trouble getting pregnant or sustaining a pregnancy. Approximately one-third of infertility is attributed to the female partner, one-third attributed to the male partner and one-third is caused by a combination of problems in both partners or, is unexplained.

Male infertility is more common in environments with high levels of environmental pollution, including water contaminants, pesticides and herbicides. Some recent population studies have shown that sperm counts have been declining universally even though infertility has not been increasing substantially.

What causes male infertility?

In at least half of male infertility cases, doctors cannot identify an exact cause. For the remaining cases, infertility is either due to environmental, genetic or other identifiable factors.

Common Environmental Causes of Male Infertility

Excess heat, for example due to the male’s occupation, such as truck drivers, welders, or firefighters, or habits, such as excessive use of the hot tub or tight clothing.